West Lawn, and The rector of St. Mark's

"West Lawn and The Rector of St. Mark's" by Mary Jane Holmes is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around the life of Dora Freeman, a twenty-five-year-old spinster, whose diary entries reveal her thoughts, struggles, and affections toward those around her, particularly the attractive doctor, Richard West. Themes of love, jealousy, and societal expectations are likely to be explored as Dora navigates her role within a family that relies heavily on her support and amid the complex emotions surrounding her relationships. At the start of the novel, Dora reflects on her decision to leave Beechwood, where she has cared for her sibling's children, and her journey to Morrisville brings both excitement and inner conflict. Her diary entries reveal her affection for the children and a longing for a more fulfilling personal life. She is also preoccupied with thoughts about the enigmatic Dr. West and a mysterious woman named Anna, suggesting a deeper narrative of past relationships that may influence her future. Dora's interactions with her family, friends, and townspeople set the stage for a dramatic exploration of her character and the choices she must confront. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Mary Jane Holmes was an American author who published 39 novels, as well as short stories. Her first novel sold 250,000 copies; and she had total sales of 2 million books in her lifetime, second only to Harriet Beecher Stowe. Her books included: "Tempest and Sunshine" (1854), "English Orphans" (1855), "Homestead on the Hillside" (1855), "Lena Rivers" (1856), "Meadow Brook" (1857), "Dora Deane" (1858), "Cousin Maude" (1860), "Marian Gray" 186^, "Hugh Worthington" (1864), "Cameron Vide" (1867). "Rose Mather" (1868), "Ethelyn’s Mistake" (1869), "Edna Browning" (1872), "Mildred" (1877), "Forest House" (1879), "Daisy Thornton," "Queenie Hetherton" (1883), "Christmas Stories" (1884), "Bessie's Fortune" (1885). "Gretchen" (1887), "Marguerite" (1891).